First proper spirit run

[hampk]

Having been given an Airstill for Christmas, I followed the instructions to the letter for my first effort. Well I guess we all do that first time, right?

I knew something wasn't quite right, but didn't know what, so quizzed the guy in my local HBS. Helpful he was - "just follow the instructions mate - you'll be fine!"

So I ran a second wash, with broadly identical results - no surprise there then.

Digging around on the Internet, I found this forum, and did some reading. Well quite a lot, actually.

Today I took 3L of what I now know to be low wines, and not vodka (!), diluted to 4 with water, followed the second half of Mozr's most excellent guide to Using an Airstill and WOW what a difference!

Tomorrow I unpack my Essencia filter for stage two..

A huge thank you to all posters whose experience I am now benefitting from.

Cheers!!

[chill]

We have probably all been there. I must say that drinking low wines, even with essences did not leave me very impressed. Welcome to a whole new world of quality drink!

Chuck

[Easydrinker]

hampk,
Believe me,after tomorrow,you will be in distillers heaven.
Life from this point will only get better.
And it really will.
ATB

Robert.

[hampk]

@Chill, it was the slightly strange taste of the stuff that made me certain there was something not quite right!

@Easydrinker, I can already tell the difference when tasting for cuts. Amazing. I fail to understand why StillSpirits produce what I think is a great bit of kit for those who are space-restricted, and then lead to you crap results with their instructions!

Watch this space as I progress

[Icefever]

I think is a great bit of kit for those who are space-restricted, and then lead to you crap results with their instructions!
Watch this space as I progress

I did the same just like a lot of guys, thought it was great....big problem we were drinking "nail polish remover" then found this place, it was like a whole new world, you can see what your doing wrong.
I agree with you Still Spirits should look at what's going on with their airstills on forums like ours and write up a better introduction to stilling.

ps...
to the forum...don't be a stranger

[phillmystill]

I agree with you Still Spirits should look at what's going on with their airstills on forums like ours and write up a better introduction to stilling.

The trouble is they would have to back-track on their marketing stance that making distilled spirits with an airstill is as easy as turning the kettle on and requires no level of skill or experience.

[Mash]

I guess there is inner turmoil in the management.

Easy instruction = More Sales
-- v --
Quality instructions = better product. Which showcase IMO a great little still. But might (will) scare away novices - who are after all the target audience.

[hampk]

I agree with you Still Spirits should look at what's going on with their airstills on forums like ours and write up a better introduction to stilling.

The trouble is they would have to back-track on their marketing stance that making distilled spirits with an airstill is as easy as turning the kettle on and requires no level of skill or experience.

Which IMHO is a strange stance to take given that as a raw beginner, I did precisely that and found the results somewhat lacking, hence my presence here now.

I wonder whether a lot of these things wind up sitting on s shelf somewhere while disillusioned owners go back to shop-bought!

[Mash]

It might explain why they come up cheap secondhand.......

[popcorn sutton]

sorry for hijacking this thread
what should the spirit taste like mine tastes a bit like vodka .its my first spirit run made up a classic whisky it tastes a bit like a Bourbon and peaty to me not bad thou is that what it should taste like all diluted to 40%

[chill]

The vodka-ish taste is correct. It sounds like you used a bottle of flavouring essence to make whisky. To my tastes, none of those produced a good result. I tried about a dozen different ones when I first got my still and then gave up.

So other's opinions see viewtopic.php?f=6&t=78

Chuck

[Easydrinker]

I am with Chuck on the Vodka-ish taste.
Some of the essences available can produce a palatable drink,esp. if then used with mixers.
Just my opinion.
Form your own.

Robert.

[chill]

Yes, some of them maybe be OK with mixers. I drink mine neat so I tend to be fussy about taste. Or not, depending on the kind of day I have had.